(UNDATED) - Indiana Blood Center is preparing to help hospitals along the East Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy as blood centers there are unable to operate.

On Wednesday, 180 units of blood will be shipped to Virginia Blood Services. Additional units are also standing by should the need arise elsewhere in storm-affected areas.

"Fortunately we have what we need," said Mike Parejko, chief operating officer at Indiana Blood Center. "As people continue to give, we will continue to help the East Coast blood centers until their operations are back up and running."

Meanwhile, Indiana Blood Center is notifying its donor base of the need for Rh negative and O positive blood types which are those most likely to be in demand by blood centers affected by Hurricane Sandy.